Ray was born in Williamstown on July 4, 1938, to Baynard and Isola (Roy) Jacobs. He grew up in Barre City and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1957. He maintained a close relationship with many classmates, serving on the class reunion committees and working on the class float for the annual Heritage Festival parade.

While in high school he was a drummer with the Barre American Legion Post 10 Drum and Bugle Corps as well as playing drums in a local band. His love of music and dancing continued for the rest of his life.

Following his graduation, he had been employed at Pratt-Whitney Aircraft in Hartford, Connecticut.

In 1961, Ray joined the U.S. Army, where he served with pride. He became a paratrooper, traveling throughout the United States in his country’s service. He was proud of his airborne wings and served in coastal Florida during the Bay of Pigs invasion. He was discharged as a specialist 4 in 1963.

On Feb. 22, 1964, he married Gloria Garcia, which endured for 50 wonderful and caring years.

In 1993, they returned to Barre, where Roy worked at the former Montgomery Ward store and then the Foto Shop, where he became a photographer and made many friends during his photo shoots. Later, he joined the Barre Town police force, serving the town citizenry for over 20 years, most of the time as chief of the department.

Following his retirement from law enforcement, he owned the Sunoco service station on Washington Street and became a courier for the TD Bank until his retirement.

Besides his wife, Gloria, Ray leaves his son, Brian Jacobs, and wife Hollie; daughter Jodie Royer and husband Garth; and his grandchildren, Keith, Evan, Logan and Carmelina, the loves of his life.

Also surviving is his sister, Dorothea “Dolly” Spencer, and her husband, Daniel; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

His parents and his brothers, Michael, Baynard and Lawrence, predeceased him.

Ray was a past exalted ruler and life member of Barre Elks Lodge 1535 and belonged to Barre American Legion Post 10. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, golf and being out of doors.

His life will be honored and celebrated with his Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, in St. Monica Catholic Church.

Interment will follow in the Hope Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m.